obviously the americans here in afghanistan, very worried about what's going on in washington. many of these men and women haven't seen their families for several months. many won't see them for a full year and they're wondering if those family members are going to be getting those paychecks. they're risking their lives here in afghanistan, and they're wondering why their congressmen and women back home can't come up with a decision and can't help them actually receive their paychecks. alex? >> so, atia, then did they get reassurance at all? >> reporter: well, that was the interesting part. i wasn't actually down in kandahar with them, but from the reporters who were out there, they said admiral mullen didn't really have an answer for them. but what he did say he kind of made a joke out of it and said you should probably write letters to your congressmen and women. and that received chuckles from the crowd, because they realized as well, how ridiculous that is, because they're in a war zone. they're here risking their lives. but at the same time, they're also worried about thei